Abstract: A lifting apparatus clamps around the sides of a gang box to facilitate lifting and transporting the gang box. The lifting apparatus has a pair of lifting brackets a set of mounting points and a lateral clamp. The mounting points are support protrusions that extend from the lifting brackets to facilitate affixing the lifting apparatus to the bang box. The lateral clamp is connected in between the brackets and provides the force required to clamp the lifting apparatus around the gang box. Thus preventing the lifting brackets from becoming dislodged from the gang box.

Abstract: Acoustic panels are disclosed herein. The acoustic panels can include a base, a plurality of sidewalls, a plurality of hinges, and a plurality of connection interfaces. The acoustic panels can include an unassembled configuration in which the acoustic panels are substantially planar or flat. Prior to installation, the acoustic panels can be transitioned to an assembled configuration by folding the sidewalls. The acoustic panels can be coupled to a building structure, such as a ceiling, wall, or suspension system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for stacking of filled sacks (20) to a pallet-free sack stacking (10) comprising the following: Performing of a first layer (L1) from at least two rows of filled sacks (20), Performing of at least one further layer (L2) from at least two rows of filled sacks (20) on top of the first layer (L1), Covering of the completed sack stacking (10) with at least a stabilized cover (30). The first layer (L1) or the last layer (L9) of the sack stacking with at least two elevating recesses (40) are performed for an elevation with a forklift and between two layers (L8, L9) a mechanically stiffened intermediate space (50) is realized with a floor space (52) which extends between both neighboring layers (L8, L9) and at least a lateral flap (54) which extends along the lateral side (22) of the sacks (20) of one of both neighboring layers (L8, L9) and transverse to the elevating recesses (40).

Abstract: A water soluble container comprises a water soluble shell enclosing a volume. The water soluble shell comprises a set of voxels.

Abstract: A rolling mill coil handling system includes a downender for rotating a coil between a vertical position supported on a pallet, and a horizontal position suspended from a hollow stem projecting from the pallet. A hook carrier system includes a C-shaped hook with a horizontally projecting arm. The hook is manipulated by carrier system components to axially insert its arm into the stem, then to raise the arm through a slot in the stem and into contact with the coil, thereby raising the coil to a level at which it is no longer in contact with the stem, and then to axially withdraw the coil from the stem.

Abstract: A back-up sump pump kit for use with a battery and an alternating current power source. The kit can be adapted to be a portable power source for an external electric device. The kit can include a portable case, a battery-operated back-up sump pump removably stored in the portable case, and a control charger integrated into the portable case. The control charger can include a battery charger, cables, a power input socket to charge the battery, and a power output socket to provide power from the battery to the external electric device. The portable case can include a handle and wheels.

Abstract: A void board is configured for placement between adjacent horizontal layers of bricks to maintain an opening in a lower of the layers. The void board includes a relatively thin base element having first and second opposing sides and a plurality of ribs extending along a length of the base element. The ribs extend from the first and second sides, generally transverse to the base element. The ribs are positioned such that the ribs that extend from the first side of the base element are offset from the ribs extending from the second side of the base element. The base element has a longitudinally extending central region, between a closest pair of ribs, that is devoid of ribs. A bundled load of objects have the void board positioned therein and a method of bundling a load of objects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tile holder and methods of its use are described. Embodiments of the tile holder are adapted to mounting to suitable objects and removably and replaceably receiving tiles and the like. Embodiments of the tile holder comprise a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped tile frame having a frame having a face plate having an aperture for exposing a face of the tile and the like, a back plate removably and releasably fastened to the frame and having a stud for mounting to a post having a receiving hole for receiving the stud of the back plate and locking the back plate to the post with a fastener, another fastener for fastening the post to a suitable object, and an optional escutcheon for optionally fastening the post to the escutcheon and the escutcheon to a wall or other suitable object.

Abstract: A work platform and material wrapper for a supply of tiles or shingles is provided. The work platform includes an underlying base and an upright member. The base is for supporting the supply and has a front side, a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface is disposed intermediate of the front side and the top surface. The upright member extends from an end of the front side. The base and the upright member form a storage bay configured to support the supply in a substantially horizontal position away from the roof surface. The material wrapper includes a midsection and four or more branches. Each branch includes a base connected to the midsection and a top flap connected to the base opposite the midsection. The base further includes at least one side flap configured and arranged to mate with an adjacent side flap on an adjacent base.

Abstract: A method of packaging manufactured stones comprises placing two layers of manufactured stones in a vented container and separating the two manufactured stone layers with a separator sheet made from a spun-bond, non-woven fabric having a desired moisture vapor transmission rate.

Abstract: A method of packaging and curing manufactured stone can include packaging a plurality of partially cured de-molded manufactured stones in a curing container having airflow apertures therein. The loaded container is then loaded into a drying oven for further curing for a suitable period. After curing in the oven, the curing container is removed and may be shipped to a customer without unpacking and repacking the manufactured stones.

Abstract: A polymeric void-board is placed between adjacent horizontal layers of bricks to maintain an opening in a lower of the layers. The void-board is fabricated from a first relatively thin planar element having first and second surfaces having a plurality of parallel ribs extending from and generally transverse to the first surface and a second relatively thin planar element having first and second surfaces having a plurality of parallel ribs extending from and generally transverse to the first surface. The first and second elements are joined to one another with the ribs of the first element engaging and joined to the second element.

Abstract: The invention described herein includes a method embodiment for making a stone wall manufacturing kit. The method embodiment includes providing a plurality of stones having a variety of thicknesses and lengths; sorting the stones based upon length and thickness of each of the stones; preparing an image of the stone wall; marking each stone within the image with an identifier to make a marked stone image; marking each stone of the plurality of stones with an identifier corresponding to the identifier of the stone in the image of the assembled stone wall; and packaging the marked stones and marked stone image to make a stone wall kit.

Abstract: Sheet goods having extremely long repeat lengths and tiles having a large number of different visual patterns are formed by printing two different print patterns having different repeat lengths. The two different print patterns are printed on two films that are laminated together, or on a substrate, or one print pattern on a substrate and one print pattern on a transparent or translucent film that is laminated to the printed substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of designing, previewing a natural stone veneer project in its entirety before a single stone is cut; cutting and finishing the edges of a natural veneer stone to form interconnecting finished natural stone veneer components having a weathered appearance, each component having a perimeter of a pre-determined contour and a finished edge.

Abstract: This invention comprises a unique method for the sale of natural stone, special packaging for the stone and a method of doing business to make the stone available in high volume stores to the average consumer. The method comprises prefabricating the stone into slabs at or near the location where it is quarried, into sizes and shapes which are common, and often standard, in household bathrooms and kitchens. The stone slabs may, or may not, include cut-outs for sinks and faucets of various standard size. The pre-fabricated stone is then packaged in a box or carton which is designed to specially protect the stone, especially at the corners where most damage occurs, and shipping the packages to high volume, do-it-yourself consumer outlets.

Abstract: This invention comprises a unique method for the sale of natural stone, special packaging for the stone and a method of doing business to make the stone available in high volume stores to the average consumer. The method comprises prefabricating the stone into slabs at or near the location where it is quarried, into sizes and shapes which are common, and often standard, in household bathrooms and kitchens. The stone slabs may, or may not, include cut-outs for sinks and faucets of various standard size. The pre-fabricated stone is then packaged in a box or carton which is designed to specially protect the stone, especially at the corners where most damage occurs, and shipping the packages to high volume, do-it-yourself consumer outlets.

Abstract: This invention comprises a unique method for the sale of natural stone, special packaging for the stone and a method of doing business to make the stone available in high volume stores to the average consumer. The method comprises pre-fabricating the stone into slabs at or near the location where it is quarried, into sizes and shapes which are common, and often standard, in household bathrooms and kitchens. The stone slabs may, or may not, include cut-outs for sinks and faucets of various standard size. The pre-fabricated stone is then packaged in a box or carton which is designed to specially protect the stone, especially at the corners where most damage occurs, and shipping the packages to high volume, do-it-yourself consumer outlets.

Abstract: A roof tile adapted for flat-packing includes on its under surface at least one region spaced from the or each hanging nib where the tile is deeper in cross-section than any other part of the tile. The underside of the or each region is configured so that when the tile is superposed on a second said tile, the tiles lie parallel and the underside lies in substantial contact with the upper surface of the second tile and prevents the hanging nib(s) of the first tile from contacting the upper surface of the second tile. By creating a region that is deeper than the depth at the hanging nibs, no load is borne by the nibs during stacking and the risk of the nibs breaking off during stacking and/or subsequent transportation is significantly reduced. In addition, because the tiles are specifically adapted to be flat-packed, the packs are particularly stable.

Abstract: A masonry block having indentations and rounded and recessed portions to facilitate the bundling and transport of a bundle of the masonry blocks using convention bundling straps. A bundle of masonry blocks is formed such that on the top row of the bundle the indentations of the masonry blocks are facing upward, and on the bottom row of the bundle the indentations of the masonry blocks are facing the ground. The masonry blocks are also positioned such that the external edges of the rows of the bundle comprise rounded and recessed portions of the masonry blocks.

Abstract: A container for supporting roofing material and related tools including a base plate formed of a rigid material having upper and lower edges and tapering side edges therebetween. One upstanding lower wall is coupled at its lower edge to the lower edge of the base plate and upstanding side walls extending upwardly from the side edges of the base plate from the lower edge to along the side edges.

Abstract: A straight setting pattern (100) for clay bricks (10) on a conventional support base (101) to provide uniform air circulation and exposure to heat to the maximum surface area on the bricks (10) by arranging a plurality of equally spaced stacks (116) (117), etc. of stacked bricks (10) into parallel columns (113) (114) to create a first tier of bricks, then covering the top of the tier of bricks with at least one stabilizing plate (110) and then repeating the process for successive tiers of bricks, wherein each tier is aligned in parallel with the other tiers.

Abstract: A roof tile is provided with a pair of batten lugs and a pair of stacking lugs protruding from the bottom side thereof. The batten lugs are positioned very close to and taper to the edge at the head end of the tile so that the thickness of the tail end of the tile may be relatively thin and may be equal to the thickness at the edge of the tile head end. The stacking lugs are positioned longitudinally away from the tail end of the tile so as not to interfere with tile overlapping. The thickness of the tile from the front surface thereof to the tip of each batten lug is substantially equal to the thickness of the tile from the front surface thereof to the tip of each stacking lug such that the tile may be stacked with other similar tiles without need to rotate every other tile by 180.degree..

Abstract: An improved manufacturing procedure for making slices or layers used to form shipping packs of concrete brick or block like articles. Such slices or layers, a plurality of which are used to form a shipping pack of bricks, are prepared according to the present invention by forming individual articles in a particular way on forming boards prior to curing. By making this specific arrangement of articles on the forming board prior to curing which arrangement corresponds to the form and number of lateral and longitudinal rows as are desired to ultimately appear in each slice of a shipping pack shipping packs are quickly and easily formed. After curing, it is only necessary to compact and, when necessary, strap the layer in its compacted condition. Thereafter, each layer or slice can be used directly to form a shipping pack without further handling or regrouping of individual brick or block like articles in each layer.

Abstract: A palletized brick package for transporting loose, new or used brick, to a construction site, or other places where brick is used or sold. A support sheet is placed on the pallet and the bricks are arranged in rows, some of which constitute different patterns to form a rectangular shaped assembly of loose bricks stacked juxtaposed to each other. A rigid, somewhat flexible sheet is placed around the brick assembly having strong but flexible bands encircling said exterior sheets, thereby encasing said bricks to securely hold the brick package together even upon loading and unloading the bricks by means of forklift trucks or the like. Each of the brick packages constitute rows of bricks stacked preferably five high for easy handling, and minimum breakage.

Abstract: Tile setting apparatus is disclosed which includes a tile holder box for both holding and aligning tiles preparatory to installation of the tiles and a tile setter tool which is releasably secured to the tiles in the tile holder box and removes a plurality of the aligned tiles from the tile holder for placement of the tile for installation.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation and packaging of refractory blocks into prefabricated panel units for transportation to a site, a refractory wall constructed of the prefabricated units and the method of forming a wall. The blocks, in a panel unit, are supported upon a pallet, enclosed by a relatively moisture-tight wrapper, and bound to a structure for lifting the stack of blocks. The panel units are adapted to be positioned in abutting relation, lateral and vertical, with each other and preferably include wedge-shaped blocks at prescribed locations for facilitating erection of a wall adjacent a support structure.

Abstract: A structural sheeting unit, such as fiberous ceiling tile, is disclosed comprising a panel kerfed around the edge thereof and having an extended edge portion provided on one side of said kerf, thereby protecting the remaining edge portion from damage during handling, said extended edge portion being weakened along a line corresponding to the remaining edge portion thereby enabling the extended portion to be easily broken away for installation.

Abstract: Each of a series of small groups of cured bricks, each such group to be joined to others to form a completed hack of such bricks, are automatically handled to stabilize the pressure bearing contact surfaces between adjacent vertical and horizontal surfaces of such bricks in the finished hack and are automatically transported, handled and banded to form a stable bound hack, which hack comprises spaced apart voids for engagement by a forklift truck.